BBC to axe 1,500 more jobs to save €287m
A second wave of job cuts at the BBC will hit around 1,500 posts in news and other programmes, it was learned tonight.
The corporation’s governors are believed to have approved the cuts at a meeting earlier today.
They will lead to savings of around £200m (€287m), although the BBC is believed to be planning to reinvest the money in programmes.
The corporation announced last week that 1,730 jobs will be cut in the first round of saving, with 980 staff being made redundant and a further 750 outsourced.
The governors are believed to have approved plans today for a second wave of around 1,500 job losses in news, sport, drama, children’s programmes, new media and other areas over the next three years.
A formal announcement will be made next Monday, when staff will be briefed about the cuts.
Trade unions have already warned that they will ballot for industrial action if there are any compulsory redundancies.
Leaders of the broadcasting unions involved will meet next week to decide their next move after they have been given details of the job cuts.
It is understood the BBC will tell unions they want to achieve the cuts by voluntary redundancies, but some union officials believe it will be difficult to achieve such a big cutback without compulsory job cuts.
BBC director general Mark Thompson delivered news last week of the 1,730 job cuts in a special video message that union leaders said has caused anger and disbelief among BBC staff.
The first wave of job losses will be in the BBC’s Professional Services division.
Staff at the BBC have already staged protests over the cost-cutting plans, described as “savage” by union leaders.
